Earth's Latitude

Earth's latitude refers to the distance north or south of the Earth's equator, measured in degrees. The equator is at 0°, dividing the planet into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Lines of latitude run parallel from east to west and are used to pinpoint locations on Earth’s surface. As you'd move away from the equator toward the poles, latitude increases up to 90° north at the North Pole and 90° south at the South Pole. Latitude helps determine climate, daylight hours, and time zones in different parts of the world.